Carnival Pride for Families

Editor Rating Families 5.0

This is a Fun Ship was created with families in mind. No child, of any age, could get bored on Carnival Pride, and the level of care provided allows Mom and Dad the freedom to relax and enjoy their vacations as well.

Children ages 2 - 11 (broken down into 2 to 5's, 6 to 8's and 9 to 11's) can participate in age-appropriate activities in one or more of the special rooms available as part of Camp Carnival. Well-trained, security-minded staffers keep an eagle eye on the younger children while they engage in activities ranging from candy making to finger painting, enjoy play time with a large selection of toys and blocks, or watch the kid-rated videos available in the Club. Older children can utilize the video games and computer stations, and even wander down one level to the video arcade for some hard-charging gaming action.

Gratis Camp Carnival activities are offered until 10 p.m., after which point the Night Owls programs kicks into gear. There are two elements to Night Owls. First, Late-night babysitting is available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. for a fee ($6 for the first child and $4 for each additional child in the same family). Pillows and blankets (and cribs for the littlest tykes) are provided when kids get sleepy. Second, there are special late-night parties, broken down by age, held three times per cruise. It's a flat fee to attend each party and kids get some goodies (flashlights, nightlights, lunch bags, etc.) out of the deal. Check the Capers for details.

Circle C, the dedicated space for tweens (12 to 14), is located all the way forward on Deck 4. The lounge features game consoles and a dance floor, and supervised activities include games like charades and Apple to Apples, themed dance parties, and sports competitions. Next door, a video arcade is open to kids and adults alike, but many adults never find it.

The teen space, Club O2 (15 - 17), is situated next to the gym on Deck 10. TV's for movie-watching and video-game play, as well as a dance area and a "mocktail" bar serving up sodas and non-alcoholic smoothies and fruit drinks. Teen activities include movie trivia, Guitar Hero rock-offs, hot tub hangouts and late-night parties.

Babies and toddlers ages six months to two years cannot participate in Camp Carnival activities, but do have additional babysitting hours (fees apply) on port days, with hours varying from port to port. On sea days, parents can drop toddlers off from noon to 2 p.m. for a fee, or use the facilities for parent-child playtime for no extra charge. The regular late-night babysitting is available to under-2's as well. Camp Carnival counselors do change diapers.

Kids who are not toilet trained are not technically allowed in the main swimming pools, though we did see a couple of families breaking that rule. A children's wading pool is located on Deck 11 by the waterslide.

Children's menus are featured in the main dining room and kids ages 2 to 11 can dine with the counselors on the Lido Deck most nights. A Fountain Fun card, good for unlimited soft drinks, costs $36.75 for eight-day voyages (adults can also choose a soda package for $50.50).